Scan barcode
browneyedleo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Major cliffhanger
readwithpassion's review against another edition
3.0
While I think this has strong teen appeal, it took me a while to plod through it. It does a good job showing the effect depression has on a family. It just moved a bit slowly for me, particularly for a book that was only 165 pages.
mesy_mark's review against another edition
3.0
This is a book about depression coming from the point of view of an outsider. We never know what seems to be going through the mind of this adolescent known as Dora. We just see through the eyes of Elene. She is one year behind Dora- her only sister. I liked the POV of depression. As someone who has dealt with depression, I know how far out one can be with depression. Especially with the fragility of not wanting to do any harm to the depressed. Jimmy as a character seemed to serve as the rundown of what depression is. A needed character but did romance have to influence the text? I know it not major but sometimes a book doesn't need a romance idea.
barbarianlibarian's review against another edition
3.0
A teen's battle with depression through the eyes of her sister. It was good, but it didn't feel fully formed. I didn't find the 'well' sister or her guy friend to totally be believable characters. It does a really good job of address in the issues though, in a non overly dramatic way - taking them seriously, but not dramatizing them. I really liked the author's afterwards. Listened to this on audio, the reader was decent.
jeffgrann's review against another edition
5.0
Shows how to protect oneself and empathize with family while helping depressed loved ones. Fifth star for the closing author note. “Good fiction has never lied to me.”
thisismenow's review against another edition
4.0
I devoured this book in a matter of a few short hours, but despite being a fairly short novel, it's covers some very tough and heavy subjects.
Though the main focus is Elena's older sister's battle with depression, there is so much more happening. Since Elena is the quiet one, content to let her outgoing sister lead, it's a very confusing time and situation for Elena. Also, her parents are trying to hard that they seem to fail to hear Elena when she tries to speak up.
The exploration of family loyalty and the relationship between the sisters is something very honest that I could really understand. I think most people who are or have been close to their siblings could understand Elena's struggle when it came to Dora.
I also really enjoyed Jimmy's character. He was quirky and a bit random, which was so different from Elena, but he seemed to help her in his own way, and his won story and experiences with depression added another layer to the story as well as served as a source of information that Elena probably wouldn't have found on her own or from her parents.
The ending somewhat felt like it came much too soon, or maybe I just wanted more, but despite that, I thought it ended on a hopeful note and I find myself wishing these characters the best in the future.
Though the main focus is Elena's older sister's battle with depression, there is so much more happening. Since Elena is the quiet one, content to let her outgoing sister lead, it's a very confusing time and situation for Elena. Also, her parents are trying to hard that they seem to fail to hear Elena when she tries to speak up.
The exploration of family loyalty and the relationship between the sisters is something very honest that I could really understand. I think most people who are or have been close to their siblings could understand Elena's struggle when it came to Dora.
I also really enjoyed Jimmy's character. He was quirky and a bit random, which was so different from Elena, but he seemed to help her in his own way, and his won story and experiences with depression added another layer to the story as well as served as a source of information that Elena probably wouldn't have found on her own or from her parents.
The ending somewhat felt like it came much too soon, or maybe I just wanted more, but despite that, I thought it ended on a hopeful note and I find myself wishing these characters the best in the future.
rennegade's review against another edition
2.0
I listened to the audiobook version of this, and struggled with what to rate it. I didn't dislike it at all, but something big was lacking.
I am always fascinated by YA books that explore the relationships between sisters. My relationship with my sister was always strained, so I like to live vicariously through the better relationships in books. I like that the sisters were close. The main character's struggle with her sister's depression was believable, and I appreciate that it show the whole family trying to deal with her illness.
I guess I just felt that there wasn't quite enough of the things I was hoping for. All of the parts were there, but I didn't feel fully satisfied by the end. I would definitely read something else by this author because I can see where she can write a compelling story. This one just wasn't everything that I hoped it would be.
I am always fascinated by YA books that explore the relationships between sisters. My relationship with my sister was always strained, so I like to live vicariously through the better relationships in books. I like that the sisters were close. The main character's struggle with her sister's depression was believable, and I appreciate that it show the whole family trying to deal with her illness.
I guess I just felt that there wasn't quite enough of the things I was hoping for. All of the parts were there, but I didn't feel fully satisfied by the end. I would definitely read something else by this author because I can see where she can write a compelling story. This one just wasn't everything that I hoped it would be.
bxermom's review against another edition
4.0
Dora is a teenager suffering from severe depression. Elena is her younger sister. The Black Box tells the story of the effects of Dora's illness on her family, especially her sister Elena. It really hits the nail on the head when it comes to dealing with the emotions a family may go through when dealing with mental illness.
Powerful and compelling. This is a short novel but is packed full of emotional content. Ms. Schumacher is an exellent writer and has handled the sensitive subject of teenage mental illness in a very caring way.
Powerful and compelling. This is a short novel but is packed full of emotional content. Ms. Schumacher is an exellent writer and has handled the sensitive subject of teenage mental illness in a very caring way.
zcoffman's review against another edition
5.0
It was pretty depressing but the story of it all is really good. There are some unexpected twists with jimmy and elena.